West Coast Beauty

Pictured: Oversize concrete pavers harmonize with the minimalist mix of stucco, glass, and metal along the back of the house.

Bring New Englanders to central California in the middle of winter and chances are they'll consider staying there—and outside—forever. Elizabeth Burns and her husband, Kevin, knew from their first February trip they'd be back to Santa Barbara, and less than three years (and many visits) later, they'd snapped up a midcentury cottage with views of the ocean and the mountains from a spacious backyard.

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2 of 11Photo: David Tsay; styling: Liz Strong

California Dreamer

Pictured: Homeowner Elizabeth Burns outside her private garden, accessible through a mahogany-and-opaque-glass gate of her own design

"There wasn't much out there besides a concrete patio, so we did a complete overhaul," says Elizabeth. "We added seating areas, a dining table, an outdoor shower, a fire pit, and a redwood hot tub. And for the garden, we went with very unfussy, wild California foliage." Here's more on how she transformed the modestly sized cottage into an indoor-outdoor oasis that lives large.

3 of 11Photo: David Tsay; styling: Liz Strong

Bright & Breezy Kitchen

Pictured: The kitchen opens to a narrow side patio screened by a wall of bamboo. Elizabeth gave the maple cabinetry a fresh coat of paint, and the Caesarstone countertops were existing.

Q&A with Homeowner and Designer Elizabeth Burns

Coastal Living: Looking at this house feels like taking in a big breath of fresh air. Does it feel that way when you're inside?

Elizabeth Burns: Yes, and I've actually heard people say that before! I think it has to do with all of the light this house gets. We live much of the year with the French doors open, and going without screens on some of the windows makes a huge difference, even when they're closed. It truly feels like you're living outside year-round.

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4 of 11Photo: David Tsay; styling: Liz Strong

Bright & Breezy Kitchen

CL: What were you most excited to be able to grow in California that you can't grow in New England?

EB: Probably the citrus—I think it just symbolizes California. We grow oranges, grapefruit, and Meyer lemons, which I use in a lot of my cooking. I make a lemon-ricotta lasagna, and in the winter we make wassail, which is sort of like hot apple cider with fresh Meyer lemon and ginger in it. If you add bourbon or rum it makes it even better!

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5 of 11Photo: David Tsay; styling: Liz Strong

California Cool Living Room

Pictured: The sectional is upholstered in Belgian linen, and the coffee table is crafted of reclaimed elm wood.

CL: For some people, beach houses are color magnets, but you chose a more neutral palette. Why?

EB: It's so beautiful here— we have views of the mountains and the ocean from our backyard—so I didn't want lots of pattern and color to compete with that. I wanted everything to be simple so you're automatically drawn outside.

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6 of 11Photo: David Tsay; styling: Liz Strong

California Cool Living Room

Pictured: Awning-style aluminum windows send fresh air into the living room, where a vibrant gallery wall blends land- and seascapes with three-dimensional art. The leather sling chair is from Wisteria.

Cozy Outdoor Living Room

CL: In what other ways did your outdoor views inform your style inside?

EB: I was definitely inspired by the lifestyle of California—that casual, unfussy feeling. My theme throughout was pretty much wood and white, with a little bit of metal and lots of texture thrown in. I really wanted everything to feel earthy and natural. We also replaced the floors, which were an orangey maple color, with a much lighter wood that matched the concrete pavers outside. So when the doors are open, everything just flows.

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8 of 11Photo: David Tsay; styling: Liz Strong

Rustic-Meets-Romantic Outdoor Dining

Pictured: The log bench was a vintage find at local home/garden shop Porch.

Coastal Garden

CL: One piece that's anything but neutral is your surfboard. What's the story behind that?

EB: We got it for my daughter, but when she realized she wouldn't be able to fit it in her studio apartment, she gave it to me. Orange is way outside my color palette, but when I found a place for it in the garden, I fell in love with it. Now our house is known for that surfboard, so we can never get rid of it.

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10 of 11Photo: David Tsay; styling: Liz Strong

Dreamy Outdoor Shower

Pictured: The outdoor shower decking is ipe, and the table is from West Elm.

CL: Ever caught a wave on it?

EB: Oh, no—I'll leave that to the pros who know what they're doing! I'll stick to gardening.